MS 150, Year 3 Indeed

This year's MS 150 was a surprise. I was ready! I can certifiably say that although I finished last year's, I wasn't really ready.

Saturday's forecast was for a high of 93, I believe, with winds up to 18 mph. Ewww. Thankfully, I don't believe it was either that hot or that windy. It was moderately hilly and essentially the same 75 mile course as last year. I should probably have done the century, but I usually err on the side of caution. So I did (most of the smiling people in the extended entry did do the 100).

Burned about 3500 calories during ride time (I turn off the heart rate monitor every time I stop). I inhaled 3/5 of a medium pizza for dinner, and I was in bed by 9. At 2:30 I woke up starving and ate two bowls of Raisin Bran. Back to bed. Started out Sunday with a mess of hills and no warm-up. Ouch. The first 35 miles or so were brutal in that fashion. For about an hour's worth of ride time I questioned my sanity (after knowing basically what to expect from last year). Then it was lunch time, and I ate some pickles. And then I ate more pickles - must've really been craving salt. Had a sandwich, too. Starting out from lunch, it was a dream come true. Tailwind. Flats to rolling. Flying, baby.

My average speed on both days was just shy of 14 mph. Not going to win any races, but considering my conservative approach, not too bad. I can (and will) push a bit harder in the future. Just didn't want to bonk.

So I was home by 6 last night, which was very nice.

Pic in extended entry. I'm the pale one.

hln



Posted by hln at September 12, 2005 05:55 PM | Cycling | TrackBack